WHO Declaration Of Astana: New Global Commitment To Strengthen Primary Health Care

Countries around the world today agreed to the Declaration of Astana, “vowing to strengthen their primary health care systems as an essential step toward achieving universal health coverage,” according to a World Health Organization press release.

“The Declaration of Astana, unanimously endorsed by all WHO Member States, makes pledges in four key areas: (1) make bold political choices for health across all sectors; (2) build sustainable primary health care; (3) empower individuals and communities; and (4) align stakeholder support to national policies, strategies and plans,” according to the release.

The declaration was endorsed at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care, which is taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan from 25-26 October, and builds from the 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata, which laid the foundation for investment in primary health care, though progress has been uneven, the release explained.

“The Declaration of Astana comes amid a growing global movement for greater investment in primary health care to achieve universal health coverage. Health resources have been overwhelmingly focused on single disease interventions rather than strong, comprehensive health systems – a gap highlighted by several health emergencies in recent years,” the release states.

 

Image Credits: WHO.

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